Matterhorn

Zermatt is the easiest starting point for a Matterhorn tour, but it’s also possible to explore the mountain on a day trip from Zurich, Lucerne, Geneva, Montreux, or from Stresa, Italy, across the border. Ride the cable car to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where views span the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps; take the cogwheel railway to the peak of neighboring Mount Gornergrat for a spectacular view of the Matterhorn; or visit the Matterhorn Museum in Zermatt.

• You can purchase combination tickets for the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and the Gornergrat railway.

• Hiking or climbing around the Matterhorn is only recommended for experienced mountaineers, and with assistance from and a certified mountain guide.

• The alpine village of Zermatt (the gateway to the Matterhorn) is car-free, and can only be reached by train or electric shuttle buses.

The Matterhorn is located in the Swiss Alps, close to the border of Italy and just southwest of Zermatt. From Zermatt, trains and cable cars run to the surrounding peaks—to reach the Matterhorn, take the cable car from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Valley Base Station, a 45-minute journey via Furi, Trockener Steg, and Schwarzsee.

The Matterhorn is impressive sight any time of year—it’s possible to visit the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise all year round. The most popular times to visit Zermatt and the surrounding peaks are either in July and August, a popular time for hiking and outdoor activities, or from December to March, when the ski season is in full swing.

At a dizzying 12,740 feet (3,883 meters), the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is Europe’s highest summit station. After the thrilling ride on Europe’s highest aerial cableway, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree view of famous peaks (including Jungfrau and Mont Blanc), explore the icy sculptures of the Glacier Palace, or have lunch at the mountaintop restaurant. Additional activities include year-round skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing excursions, snow tubing, and hikes to the summit of The Breithorn mountain range.

The best way to see the Matterhorn is to travel to Zermatt, the small ski resort town below the mountain. From Zermatt, you can enjoy views up to the Matterhorn and also take the Gornergrat cog railway up to the panoramic viewpoint at the summit of the Gornergrat.

The cost of going to the Matterhorn in Switzerland depends on the viewpoints visited and the season, as well as your use of the many reduction cards/passes that can provide deep discounts. Return tickets for adults bought online through the official website range from CHF$64 to CHF$101.

Yes, visiting the Matterhorn in Switzerland is worth doing if you enjoy mountain scenery, mountain climbing, ski resorts, and cog railways. There are multiple options for experiencing the Matterhorn and its surrounding Alpine areas, from relaxing in Zermatt to being whisked up mountain tops for views of the Swiss icon.

While it depends on what you plan on doing in the mountains, most visitors find that a few hours is enough time to see the Matterhorn. This includes the travel time on the Gornergrat cog railway, 3S Cable Car, or Rothorn cable car for a return trip to their respective viewpoints.

No, the Matterhorn cable cars are not free with the Swiss Travel Pass. Instead, the pass provides a 50 percent discount on the Gornergrat cog railway, 3S Cable Car, and Rothorn cable car. The Swiss Travel Pass does include free train travel to Zermatt from Montreux and St. Moritz.

No. You should not attempt to climb the Matterhorn without a guide. Finding the route is very challenging without intimate knowledge of the mountain. The climb requires considerable physical fitness and experience climbing mountains with crampons and handling technical ascents.